NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Army heads to Sojka Pavilion to face Bucknell on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, with ESPN+ carrying this Patriot League game. Bucknell is a moderate home favorite, and the market is basically saying the Bison are the cleaner team in a matchup between two programs that have been chasing consistency all season.
Army comes in 7-12 and needs league wins wherever it can find them, because the margin for error is already thin. Bucknell is 6-13, but they’ve been more competitive lately and they tend to look more comfortable at home. If this stays close late, it probably comes down to shot selection and free throws, not some big talent gap.
Army Black Knights vs Bucknell Bison Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated latest college basketball odds leading up to tipoff.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Black Knights | +202 | +5.5 (-104) | O 144.5 (-113) |
| Bucknell Bison | -250 | -5.5 (-117) | U 144.5 (-108) |
Grand Canyon Antelopes
vs
San Diego St Aztecs
Open
vs
Jan 21, 2026 23:00 EST
–
Score
–
+1.00 -106
Spread
-1.00 -106
o+143.50-108
Total
u+143.50-108
–
Moneyline
–
USC Trojans
vs
Northwestern Wildcats
Open
vs
Jan 21, 2026 23:00 EST
–
Score
–
–
Spread
–
o+154.00-108
Total
u+154.00-108
–
Moneyline
–
Saint Mary’s Gaels
vs
Oregon St Beavers
Open
vs
Jan 21, 2026 23:00 EST
–
Score
–
-17.50 -106
Spread
+17.50 -106
o+142.00-108
Total
u+142.00-108
–
Moneyline
–
Army Black Knights Betting Form
Army’s betting profile is pretty straightforward: they are going to shoot threes, a lot of them, and that creates both upset paths and ugly stretches. The volume is elite by national standards, and when they’re hitting early, the game can tilt quickly because opponents have to chase the arc and the floor opens up for secondary drives.
The downside is the volatility. When the jumper isn’t falling, Army can get stuck taking tough looks late in the clock, and their defense has had issues stringing stops together for long stretches. The American loss is a decent example. Holloway was efficient, Curry facilitated, and it still wasn’t enough because the overall possessions felt a little too easy for the opponent. That matters here because Bucknell is comfortable playing a cleaner, half-court game at home.
If you want a broader view of how Army has been performing across results and trends, the NCAAB teams hub is useful for context, especially when you’re trying to separate “hot shooting week” from something more stable.
Bucknell Bison Betting Form
Bucknell’s season record isn’t pretty, but the home splits are at least workable, and that matters when you’re laying a modest number like 5.5. They’ve been better at Sojka Pavilion, and their offense tends to function more smoothly there, especially in the first 10 minutes when the crowd energy is real and the pace is more controlled.
The biggest Bucknell edge in tight spreads is usually free throws. They shoot it well at the line, and that plays two ways: it helps them protect a late lead, and it keeps the underdog from surviving on “missed free throws plus variance” in the final minute. In a game that projects competitive, that’s not nothing.
Still, Bucknell has to earn this cover. If they allow Army to get comfortable launching clean threes, the spread becomes fragile fast. You can have the better half-court structure and still lose a number because you gave up 10 extra points from deep. Availability matters here too, so keep an eye on the Bucknell injury report before you lock anything in.
Every Pick. Every Sport. All Verified
Follow sharp cappers across NFL, NBA, MLB, and more.
Army Black Knights vs Bucknell Bison Matchup Breakdown
This matchup starts with a simple question: can Bucknell chase shooters without giving up easy looks elsewhere? Army’s three-point attempt rate forces defensive decisions. If Bucknell stays attached and runs them off the line, Army needs to finish at the rim and win some of the turnover battles. If Bucknell overhelps or loses track in transition, Army can hit that quick 9-0 run that flips a spread game into a sweat.
Pace is another key. The total is 144.5, and Army’s style can make games feel faster than they actually are because threes create long rebounds and quick possessions. Bucknell would probably prefer a more methodical game where they can get set, avoid live-ball turnovers, and force Army into long defensive possessions. That’s the version where Bucknell can win while also limiting the overall scoring.
Late-game math matters too. If Bucknell is up 6 to 10 late, they’re likely to convert at the stripe. That can push an under toward the number even if the first 32 minutes were slow. If Army is the one trailing, their three-point profile makes the backdoor cover live, but it also can shorten the game if they miss and don’t foul quickly. It’s messy, and I think that’s why the under is priced the way it is.
For bettors who like grounding these spots in process and not just narrative, the sports betting strategy guide mindset still applies: understand the possession shape, identify the volatility source, then decide whether the price is worth it.
Army Black Knights vs Bucknell Bison Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Army +5.5. Not because Army is the more trustworthy team, they aren’t, but because the way they score keeps them inside numbers like this more often than people want to admit. If Bucknell has any lapses in perimeter coverage, Army can stay connected even while losing most of the “clean execution” battle.
The case for Bucknell is pretty clear too. They’re at home, they should be the steadier late-game free throw team, and Army’s offense can go cold for long stretches. If Bucknell gets a lead and forces Army to play from behind without easy transition threes, that’s how you see a 9 to 12 point win.
On the total, I lean under 144.5, even though Army’s style can make an over feel tempting. My read is that Bucknell will try to dictate pace, and both teams can get stuck in half-court possessions when the first look is taken away. The main risk is late-game free throws, because a close spread often creates a foul finish, and Bucknell can cash those points.
Best Bet: Army Black Knights +5.5 (-104).
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
College basketball is a volume sport for bettors. There are too many games to cap everything deeply every day, so the edge often comes from finding the right few matchups where style and number collide, then being disciplined with price.
If you want more daily sides and totals beyond this matchup, the today’s college basketball picks page is the fastest way to scan the slate, compare opinions, and keep your card tight instead of forcing action.
